Rana Plaza tragedy

The Rana Plaza disaster survivors and the relatives of the unfortunate victims have received some compensation and we are glad to note the various measures taken for workers' safety and welfare. But those notwithstanding, the families of the victims and the survivors are still calling out for justice. The trials of the several cases related to the matter are yet to start even after there years of what can only be described as deliberate murder. Incomplete investigation and refusal of the labour ministry to permit its officers to be charged has added to the delay. 

The Rana Plaza disaster is an open and shut case; the disaster was waiting to happen. Every possible manner of flouting of rules was resorted to by some government officials to help the owner and the main accused not only to acquire the land but also to construct the building. And the workers were coerced to join work on the day of the disaster in spite of the fact that there were noticeable cracks in the building. 

We fail to understand the rationale of the labour ministry for not allowing the names of its officials to be included in the charge sheet when their complicity in the case is evident. We are happy to see one court admit the charge sheet using its inherent jurisdiction and another court order the reinvestigation since the charge sheet did not include names of those who had approved the building design. 

Three years is too long for a trial to commence. There is very strong rationale in the suggestions that it might serve the cause of justice better if the trials were held under a special court.